Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Favory, Army Sustainment Command's first Sergeant Audie Murphy Club inductee, reflects for a moment in the receiving line for congratulations on his induction. In the background is his wife, Amanda. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Sean...

Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Favory, Army Sustainment Command's first Sergeant Audie Murphy Club inductee, sits with his wife, Amanda, son, Karsen, 5, and father, Charles Favory, during the ceremony. In between Karsen and Mr. Favory is younger brother...

Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Favory, Army Sustainment Command's first Sergeant Audie Murphy Club inductee, reflects for a moment in the receiving line for congratulations on his induction. In the background is his wife, Amanda. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Sean...

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- The Army Sustainment Command hosted its first Sergeant Audie Murphy Club induction ceremony Jan. 17 at Heritage Hall in Building 60.

Sgt. 1st Class Matthew C. Favory was inducted into the prestigious noncommissioned officer-only association and serves as the provost marshal sergeant for ASC.

Favory, 27, a native of Fort Wayne, Ind., enlisted two days after his high school graduation from Norwell High School in Ossian, Ind., in 2003. Since then he has held numerous leadership and operations positions, including team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant and drill sergeant.

He has served at Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; and Fort Shafter, Hawaii. Favory is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa.

Favory is the recipient of the Purple Heart; Meritorious Service Medal, the Drill Sergeant Identification Badge and Combat Action Badge.

The SAMC recognizes Army noncommissioned officers in the ranks of corporal through sergeant first class who display exemplary leadership, characterized by personal concern for the needs, training development and welfare of Soldiers. The club's namesake, Audie Murphy, rose to national fame as the most decorated U.S. combat Soldier of World War II.

Among his 33 awards and decorations he received the Medal of Honor, the highest military award for bravery that can be given.

To become inducted into the SAMC, a Soldier must be recommended by his chain of
command. After an NCO is recommended, two challenging boards must be passed which includes thoroughly knowing Murphy's biography, and providing responses based on leadership scenarios.

"They must prove that they're that good, that they deserve this honor," said Wharton during the ceremony. "It's grueling, but at the end of it, they have the distinction of being one of less than 10 percent of NCOs who are members."

Wharton explained that because of the unique mission of the ASC, he relies heavily on his NCO corps. "I'm proud to say that the NCO corps here at ASC is up to the challenge, and consistently performs in a manner that reflects devotion to duty, technical excellence, and true leadership.

"Many who try to become members in this association never make it," said Wharton to Favory. "Achieving this membership took a great deal of time and commitment on your part, and required a lot of hard work, along with a willingness to be closely scrutinized in every aspect of your ability, appearance and performance.

"You are truly the very best of the best -- an NCO, the ultimate Soldier who, with your fellow NCOs, form the foundation of the world's best Army serving the world's best nation," said Wharton.

"To be a part of the SAMC is honestly a true honor," said Favory.

Favory said that having several supervisors that were SAMC inductees helped shape and lead him to believe he could be like them -- a positive influence on the next generation of Army leaders.

"To be a part of the club means that now I get to be that [kind of an] NCO for a Soldier out there," Favory said. "They were very good leaders and I attribute that directly to the success
that I have had in the last nine years."

Favory expressed that his family is his main motivation to excel in the Army.

"I would not be where I am for sure without my wife. She has definitely been my motivation to succeed and provide a better life for my family and everything through God," Favory said.